Charles LeClerc Says He’s Already Competing With New Teammate Lewis Hamilton

Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is introduced before the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit.
Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is introduced before the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Charles Leclerc is excited about his new teammate, but wanted everyone to know who is winning a fierce competition between the two.

Ferrari debuted its new car and new driver lineup at F1 75 this week and Leclerc discussed his partnership with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton joined Ferrari this season after 12 seasons with Mercedes.

Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, made sure everyone knew who was the better chess player.

"He's been great already to start working with Lewis. We've had a lot of fun playing chess already," Leclerc said. "I'm beating him by the way. No, no, but he's been really fun and now we just cannot wait to go out on track."

Ferrari finished second in the constructors' championship in 2024, trailing McLaren by 14 points at the end of the season. With Hamilton taking a seat next to Leclerc, the Italian auto giant hopes to take a big leap forward in 2025.


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Ryan Phillips
RYAN PHILLIPS

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.